Vinery Adds Three Stallions to Florida Roster

Three stallions—Congrats, Alke, and Repent– previously announced as standing in 2008 at Brent Fernung's Journeyman Stud will instead take up residence at the Florida division of Tom Simon's Vinery near Summerfield, it was announced Oct. 19.

The three formerly stood at Coverleaf Farms near Reddick, Fla., which closed its doors after the 2007 breeding season. Cloverleaf was owned by John Sykes and managed by Fernung.

“We are really excited to expand our Florida roster with these attractive young stallions,” said Tom Ludt, general manager of Vinery. "Each of them has a great deal of appeal, and we are very committed to playing an important role for breeders in this market.”

In a separate release, Fernung said an agreement was reached to stand the stallions at Journeyman in July, but in September, Sykes wanted to terminate the contract.

"It was mutually decided that we should conclude all our business ventures and go our separate ways," Fernung said in the statement. "We owned Repent in partnership and he (Sykes) has purchased my interest in him. It was a fair offer which leaves Journeyman with multiple lifetime breeding rights in all 3 stallions."

Congrats, a 7-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Mr. Prospector mare Praise, is a grade II stakes winner who won or placed in seven graded events, including the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). His first foals arrive in 2008.

Alke, a 7-year-old son of Grand Slam out of the Crow mare Pasampsi, posted five wins and four seconds in 10 career starts, including a second in the Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I). His first foals are yearlings of this year.

Repent, an 8-year-old son of Louis Quatorze out of the Cipayo mare Baby Grace, won four graded stakes races, including the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), placed in three others, and earned $1.2 million. His first foals are 2-year-olds this year and include black type winner Atoned, stakes-placed Check It Twice, and six other winners.

Vinery’s stud fees for 2008 have yet to be announced. During the 2007 season, Congrats stood for $12,500, Alke for $4,000, and Repent for $5,000. In the Report of Mares Bred just released by The Jockey Club for the 2007 breeding season, Congrats was listed as having covered 172 mares, Alke 92 mares, and Repent 68 mares.